The phrase “dog lifespan” may take on new meaning thanks to a new drug developed to extend dogs’ lives.
The drug, currently called LOY-001, is not yet available to pet owners, but it could be on the market as early as 2026, according to Loyal, the San Francisco-based company developing the drug.
Here are answers to five questions about medication.
1. Is this medication designed for all dogs?
LOY-001 is specifically designed for large adult dogs, who generally have a shorter lifespan than smaller dogs.
2. How does this medicine work?
The drug is said to work by interacting with insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a hormone thought to promote growth and aging in dogs.
This undated stock photo shows a dog.
Stock Photo/Getty Images
Previous studies have shown that dogs with lower insulin levels are less frail and have a better quality of life than dogs with higher insulin levels.
Larger dogs naturally have more IGF-1, and therefore tend not to live as long as smaller dogs.
3. Is this medicine in tablet form?
LOY-001 is a long-acting injectable drug that is administered to dogs by veterinarians every three to six months, according to Royal.
4. Are there any side effects for dogs?
Previous studies have shown that LOY-001 can cause mild, temporary gastrointestinal upset in dogs as a side effect.
5. Why is the medicine still not available?
More research needs to be done before the drug can be approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Royal said this month that the FDA said data so far indicates the drug has potential benefits.
But the drug still needs to complete extensive clinical trials and review of safety and manufacturing data before it can be fully approved by the FDA.
Loyal said it hopes to receive conditional FDA approval for LOY-001 by 2026.
Khushali Javeri, MD, board-certified internist, is a hematology/oncology fellow at Moffitt Cancer Center and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit.
